Li Qiao (李嶠) | 24 Histories

Overview

Li Qiao was an official and Writer.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Jushan	巨山	Jushan

Life and dates

Death

died aged seventy
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 84

Age

15
Reckoning Sui · Context mastered Five Classics
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 5
20
Reckoning Sui · Context passed jinshi
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 6
70
Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 84

Attested activity

AD 706 神龍二年
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 43-44
AD 703 長安三年
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 35
AD 700 to AD 701 AD 700-701
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 113, passage 128
AD 709 三年
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 78
AD 700 to AD 701 三教珠英
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 114, passage 183
AD 705 to AD 710 中宗…身宰相
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 76

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AD 710 中宗崩
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 80
AD 705 to AD 710 中宗朝宰相
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 129
AD 650 to AD 676 仕前與王勃、楊盈川接
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 87
AD 692 來俊臣構獄時
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passages 12, 14
AD 690 to AD 705 則天時
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 85, passage 126
AD 670 to AD 684 弱冠至畿尉
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passages 3, 5-6, 8
AD 700 to AD 705 張易之
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 114, passage 20
AD 705 張易之敗
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 41
AD 690 to AD 705 武後時
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 86
AD 690 to AD 705 武後臨朝
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passages 16, 29, 37
AD 712 玄宗嗣位
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 81, 83
AD 710 睿宗立
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 79
AD 706 神龍二年
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 45, passage 135
AD 670 to AD 700 與蘇味道俱以文翰顯
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 114, passage 205
AD 703 長安三年
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 45, passages 130, 133
AD 649 to AD 683 高宗之世
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 10

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Zhang Xi (張錫)
sister's son 出 · maternal line · Through Mother of Li Qiao
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 33
Kin of Zhang Xi (張錫)
maternal nephew 甥 · maternal line · Through Sister of Zhang Xi
maternal uncle 舅 · maternal line · Through Sister of Zhang Xi
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 113, passage 128; Old Book of Tang 85, passage 126
Child of Father of Li Qiao
father 父 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 123, passage 4
Child of Mother of Li Qiao
mother 母 · maternal line
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 4
Child of Sister of Zhang Xi
mother 母
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 85, passage 126
Parent of Li Chang (李暢)
son 子
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 83
Child of Sister of Zhang Xi
son 子
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 113, passage 128

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Director of the Secretariat 中書令
AD 706 神龍二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 43
Director of the Palace Secretariat 納言
AD 703 長安三年 · Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 35
Grand Academician of the Hall for Cultivating Literature 修文館大學士
AD 709 三年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 78
Special Advancement with Third Grade equal to the Secretariat 特進同中書門下三品
AD 709 三年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 78
acting Left Vice Director of the Palace of Literary Brilliance 檢校文昌左丞
Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 34
acting Vice Director of the Heavenly Palace 知天宮侍郎事
Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 31

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Associate Grand Councilor of the Phoenix and Unicorn Pavilions 同鳳閣鸞臺平章事
Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 31
Grand Secretary 內史
Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 36
investigating censor 監察御史
Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 9
magistrate of Anding 安定尉
Appointed · At Anding 安定
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 6
Secretariat Director 中書令
Appointed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 45, passage 135
Vice Prefect of Chu 滁州別駕
AD 712 玄宗嗣位 · Demoted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 83
prefect of Huai 懷州刺史
AD 710 睿宗立 · Demoted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 79
prefect of Yu Prefecture 豫州刺史
AD 705 張易之敗 · Demoted · At Yu Prefecture 豫州
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 41
Rector of the Imperial University 成均祭酒
AD 700 to AD 703 張錫輔政時 · Demoted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 33
secretary in Run Prefecture 潤州司馬
Demoted · At Run Prefecture 潤州
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 14
censor 御史
AD 690 to AD 705 武後時 · Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 86
chancellor 宰相
Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 76
Minister 尚書
Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 45, passage 133
Minister of Personnel 吏部尚書
Promoted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 42
supervising secretary 給事中
Promoted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 11
Vice Director of the Luan Terrace 鸞臺侍郎
Promoted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 32
Vice Director of the Unicorn Terrace 麟臺少監
Promoted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 31
prefect of Tong Prefecture 通州刺史
AD 705 張易之敗 · Reassigned · At Tong Prefecture 通州
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 41
aide in the Phoenix Pavilion 鳳閣舍人
Recalled
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 15
Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel 吏部侍郎
Recalled
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 42
Associate Grand Councilor 平章事
AD 703 長安三年 · Restored
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 35
Rector of the Imperial University and Associate Grand Councilor 成均祭酒、平章事
Restored
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 36
Vice Prefect of Lu 廬州別駕
Transferred to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 84
magistrate at Chang'an 長安尉
Transferred · At Chang'an 長安
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 123, passages 7-8
Duke of Zhao 趙國公
AD 709 三年 · Enfeoffed
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 78
Duke of Zhao 趙國公
AD 709 三年 · Held
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 123, passage 78
Entered
AD 710 睿宗立 · Removed from government
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 79
Entered
AD 710 睿宗立 · Retired
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 79
Entered
Demotion
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 14
Pardoned
AD 712 玄宗嗣位 · Pardoned · Authority Emperor Xuanzong (玄宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 83
demotion for association with Zhang Yizhi 坐附會貶
AD 705 張易之敗 · Punished
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 41

Places and affiliations

Tang 唐
Relation Served
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 45, passage 133
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 6, 10, 43, 76, 79, 81, 129
Polity Wu Zhou 武周 · Relation Served
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 14, 29, 35
At Luancheng in Zhaozhou 趙州欒城
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 114, passage 205
At Zanhuang in Zhao Prefecture 趙州贊皇
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 3
AD 690 to AD 705 武後時
At Sishui 汜水 · Relation Activity at
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 86

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AD 712 玄宗嗣位
At Chu Prefecture 滁州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 83
AD 710 睿宗立
At Huai Prefecture 懷州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 79
At Anding 安定 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 6
At Chang'an 長安 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 7
At Eastern Capital 東都 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 34
At Lu Prefecture 廬州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 84
At Run Prefecture 潤州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 14

Learning and skills

Mastered
Subject Five Classics 五經
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 5
Earned
Credential policy examination, highest grade 制策甲科
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 7
Earned
Credential Presented Scholar 進士
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 6
Skill literary composition 才思 · Level renowned
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 85
Skill literary composition 文辭 · Level renowned
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 5, 8, 15

Works and attributed material

Imperial Talisman 皇符
AD 690 to AD 705 武後時 · Relation Author
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 86
Pearls of the Three Teachings 三教珠英
Relation Contributor selected
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 114, passage 183
Memorial · Author · With Emperor Zhongzong (中宗) · Mode quotation Speaker Li Qiao (李嶠)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 59-75
Memorial · Author · With Empress Wu (武後) · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Speaker Li Qiao (李嶠)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 16-28, 37-39
Memorial · Author · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Speaker Li Qiao (李嶠)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 45-58
Memorial · Author · Mode named-source-report
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 80-81

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知其枉不申，是謂見義不為者。
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Speaker Li Qiao (李嶠)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 13

Events and relationships

Barred aides from regular duties
Administrative · Reformer
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 45, passage 135
Confessed misgovernment and sought dismissal
Political · Petitioner · With Emperor Zhongzong (中宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 76
Created surplus aide posts
Administrative · Creator
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 45, passage 133
Created thousands of supernumerary posts to regain favor
Political · Proposer · Outcome Bureaucracy swelled; treasury drained
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 44
Declined onerous Grand Secretary post
Political · Subject
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 36
Drafted major court edicts and documents
Political · Drafter
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 15

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Dreamed of receiving paired writing brushes
Omen · Recipient · Outcome Thereafter showed literary gifts
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 5
Left to guard Eastern Capital
Political · Guardian · At Eastern Capital 東都
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 34
Memorial discovered execution urged
AD 712 玄宗嗣位 · Legal · Accused
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 81
Memorialized on censorate inspection system
AD 690 to AD 705 武後臨朝 · Political · Proposer · Outcome Empress Wu approved dividing realm into twenty circuits; blocked by opposition
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 16, 29-30
Orphaned young
Personal · Subject · With Father of Li Qiao
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 4
Permitted to accompany son to post
AD 712 玄宗嗣位 · Travel · Companion · With Li Chang (李暢)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 83
Re examined framed capital cases
AD 692 來俊臣構獄時 · Legal · Reviewer · With Lai Junchen (來俊臣)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 12-14
Rebuked by personal edict
Political · Subject · With Emperor Zhongzong (中宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 76
Remonstrated against great Buddha image at Baisima Slope
AD 690 to AD 705 武後臨朝 · Political · Remonstrator · At Baisima Slope 白司馬阪 · With Empress Wu (武後) · Outcome Advice not accepted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 37, 40
Reported wrongful convictions with colleagues
AD 692 來俊臣構獄時 · Legal · Advocate · Outcome Defied Empress Wu; demoted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 14
Resumed duties after alarm
Political · Official
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 77
Secretly memorialized against retaining Prince of Xiang sons in capital
AD 710 中宗崩 · Political · Advisor · With Emperor Ruizong (睿宗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 80
Sought self preservation without correction
Political · Chancellor
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 129
Submitted essay on propitious stone at Sishui
AD 690 to AD 705 武後時 · Scholarly · Author
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 86
Supervised army and persuaded rebel surrender
AD 649 to AD 683 高宗之世 · Military · Supervisor · At Yong and Yan prefectures 邕、巖二州 · With Emperor Gaozong (高宗) · Outcome Campaign halted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 10
Relation Associated with · Person Zhang Yizhi (張易之)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 41
Relation Fellow townsman and literary peer of · Person Su Weidao (蘇味道)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 114, passage 205
Relation Peer of · Person Su Weidao (蘇味道)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 87
Relation Praised by · Person Xue Yuanchao (薛元超)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 5
Relation Literary associate of · Person Yang Yingchuan (楊盈川)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 87
Relation Peer of · Person Luo Binwang (駱賓王)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 8
Relation Successor of · Person Wei Anshi (韋安石)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 43
Relation Literary associate of · Person Wang Bo (王勃)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 87
Relation Peer of · Person Cui Rong (崔融)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 87
Relation Peer of · Person Liu Guangye (劉光業)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 8

Assessments and attributes

Assessment became elder master of letters and model for scholars of the age · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 87
Assessment essay Imperial Talisman scorned by the age · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 86
Assessment filial devotion to his mother · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 4
Assessment ranked first with Xu Yanbo · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 114, passage 183
Assessment secretly sought popular favor to regain chancellorship; later masked his own error by blaming the times · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passages 44-45
Assessment writings widely copied and recited · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 85

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Assessment youngest among capital magistrates famed for literary skill, equal to Luo Binwang and Liu Guangye · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 8

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 45, passage 133; New Book of Tang 114, passage 183; New Book of Tang 123, passage 76

References in the histories

Search passages

History

27 passages

Old Book of Tang, Chapter 85Volume 81 Biographies 31: Cui Dunli, Lu Chengqin, Liu Xiangdao, Li Jingxuan, Li Yiyan, Sun Chuyue, Le Yanwei, Zhao Renben · 1 passage

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先是，姊子李嶠知政事，錫拜官，而嶠罷相出為國子祭酒，舅甥相代為相，時人榮之。 Earlier his nephew Li Qiao had been chancellor; when Xi was appointed, Qiao left office as rector of the National University—uncle and nephew succeeding each other as chief ministers, to the admiration of the age.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 45Volume 45 Treatises 40: Selecting and Appointing Officials 2 · 2 passages

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時李嶠為尚書，又置員外郎二千餘員，悉用勢家親戚，給俸祿，使厘務，至與正官爭事相毆者。 Li Qiao then created more than two thousand aide posts for powerful families' relatives, paid them salaries, and set them to work—some even brawled with regular officials over duties.

神龍二年，嶠復為中書令，始悔之，乃停員外官厘務。 In Shenlong 2, Li Qiao again became Secretariat Director, regretted the abuse, and barred aide officials from handling regular duties.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 113Volume 113 Biographies 38: Tang, Zhang, Xu · 1 passage

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子錫，久視初，為鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞臺平章事，代其甥李嶠為宰相。 His son Xi, early in the Jiushi era, became vice minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and chancellor, succeeding his nephew Li Qiao.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 114Volume 114 Biographies 39: Cui Rong and Descendent Cong, Descendent Neng, Neng's Nephew: Shen You, Neng's Nephew an Qian, Neng's Son: Yan Ceng, Xu Yanbo, Su Weidao, Dou Lu Qin Wang · 3 passages

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張易之兄弟頗延文學士，融與李嶠、蘇味道、麟台少監王紹宗降節佞附。 Zhang Yizhi and his brothers cultivated literary men, and Rong joined Li Jiao, Su Weidao, and Wang Shaozong, vice-director of the Lin Terrace, in abasing themselves to flatter and attach to them.

武后撰《三教珠英》，取文辭士，皆天下選，而彥伯、李嶠居首。 When Empress Wu compiled the 《Pearls of the Three Teachings》, she chose literary men from across the empire; Yanbo and Li Jiao ranked first.

九歲能屬辭，與裏人李嶠俱以文翰顯，時號「蘇李」。 At nine he could already compose literary pieces; he and his fellow townsman Li Jiao won fame for their writing and were known together as "Su and Li."

New Book of Tang, Chapter 123Volume 123 Biographies 48: Li, Xiao, Lu, Wei, Zhao, He · 20 passages

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李嶠，字巨山，趙州贊皇人。 Li Qiao, courtesy name Jushan, was a native of Zanhuang in Zhao Prefecture.

時畿尉名文章者，駱賓王、劉光業，嶠最少，與等夷。 The capital magistrates then most famed for literary skill were Luo Binwang and Liu Guangye; Qiao was the youngest yet stood on equal footing with them.

高宗擊邕、巖二州叛獠，詔監其軍，嶠入洞喻降之，由是罷兵。 When Emperor Gaozong campaigned against rebel tribes in Yong and Yan prefectures, Qiao was ordered to supervise the army; he entered their mountain strongholds to persuade surrender, and the campaign was then halted.

會來俊臣構狄仁傑、李嗣真、裴宣禮等獄，將抵死，敕嶠與大理少卿張德裕、侍御史劉憲覆驗，德裕等內知其冤，不敢異。 When Lai Junchen framed Di Renjie, Li Sizhen, Pei Xuanli, and others in capital cases nearing execution, an edict sent Qiao, Vice Director Zhang Deyu of the Court of Judicial Review, and Investigating Censor Liu Xian to review the verdicts. Zhang and Liu knew the men were innocent but dared not disagree.

嶠曰：「知其枉不申，是謂見義不為者。」 Qiao said, "To know they have been wronged and yet not speak out is what the sages call seeing what is right and failing to act".

初置右御史臺，察州縣吏善惡、風俗得失，嶠上疏曰：「禁網上疏，法象宜簡，簡則法易行而不煩雜，疏則所羅廣而不苛碎。 When the Right Censorate was first set up to examine the conduct of prefectural and county officials and the strengths and failings of local custom, Qiao submitted a memorial: "The law's reach should be broad above and precise below; its forms should be kept simple—simplicity makes enforcement easy and avoids confusion, while breadth of scope covers much without petty nitpicking.